Habitation in the Historical District of Kerman between Continuity and Change

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 University of Guilan

2 Tehran University of Art

3 Shahid Bahonar University

4 Art University of Isfahan

10.22059/jurbangeo.2026.401431.2099

Abstract

This article examines the condition of habitation in the historical district of Kerman, focusing on the relationship between “continuity” and “change” through the conceptual framework of “residential strategies.” The study aims to explain how patterns of habitation are formed and reproduced in this area within the context of broader urban transformations. Therefore, the study addresses two key questions: How does the historical district of Kerman position itself between continuity and change? And how do residents, through their residential strategies, contribute to the reproduction of continuity or the production of change in this context? The research adopts a qualitative approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews, field observations, photography, and note-taking. The findings demonstrate that continuity and change in historical urban fabrics are not necessarily in opposition; rather, they occur simultaneously and in dynamic interaction. The results further indicate that households’ residential choices are shaped by a combination of preferences, attachments, constraints, and resources - both financial and non-financial. Accordingly, habitation in Kerman’s historical district encompasses a spectrum ranging from conscious, voluntary choice to constrained or necessity-driven settlement. Within this spectrum, certain residential strategies contribute to sustaining the residential function, reproducing social relations, and preserving neighborhood identity, while others lead to demographic, physical, and functional transformations. Drawing on the case of Kerman, the study argues that habitation extends beyond merely having a dwelling; rather, residential choice constitutes a simultaneous decision regarding both the living environment and the type of housing.

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